Taper Vs Fade: What’s The Difference?

Changing up your look is made easier once you know what to look for. Tapers and fades are two of the most popular haircut choices among men, especially those who are looking for an edgier look. Since they’re cut fairly similar it’s easy to get drawn into the taper vs fade confusion, but here are a few differences between the two:

Tapers

Tapered cuts are where the hair is longer at the top and then gradually gets shorter down the back and sides of the head. In a normal taper haircut, the top is left about 2-4 inches long while the rest of the hair is cut shorter. Typically, the hairline around the perimeter is cut very short but left completely intact which has to be one of the main differences between tapers and fades. You can find both men and women rocking tapered haircuts more so than fades since you don’t have to cut as much hair off. It is important to have a good idea of what type of look you’re trying to achieve when deciding between a taper or fade. Here are a few of the most popular ways to sport a tapered cut:

Classic Tapers

Classic tapers feature longer hair at the crown and top of the head which gradually tapers as it extends down to the sides and back of the head.

Side Part Tapers

Side part tapers feature a prominent side part where the hair is thick at the part and gradually thins out as you extend down to the ear. This style is a great way to add some edge to a professional look and is very popular among business-type men.

Short Tapers

Short tapers are generally 1in of hair and lower that tapers down toward the ear. This style is perfect for those who aren’t interested in leaving a substantial amount of hair at the top.

Long Tapers

Long taper haircuts feature hair that is longer at the top and shorter around the sides, but not short enough to see the scalp. This tapered style is popular among those who want to go short, but don’t want to commit to cutting the sides very low.

Faint tapers

Faint tapers are seemingly the same length, but a faint tapered effect is seen around the temples and ears. If you’re someone who wants to try the tapered look but doesn’t want it to be too dramatic, then this is the perfect style for you.

Long crown

This is another tapered style that features a very long crown area and short sides.

Video on Taper Vs. Fade

Fades

Fade haircuts can best be described as no hair at the sides and back of the head, but graduates into more hair as you move to the top of the head. A fade haircut is actually a form of tapering the hair, but the hair is cut drastically lower than a regular taper. Many barbers tend to bald the hair around the sides and back of the head beforehand and taper the cut so that it gradually gets thicker as it extends to the top of the head giving it the “faded” look. While most fades are cut relatively short, the top can be left long like a classic tapered cut. There are a few different types of fades, but the most popular variations include either a high fade or a low fade. High Fades usually fade away completely within at least 2-inches from the top of the head. Low Fades feature a taper cut that gradually extends down the sides and back of the head, and fade completely at nape and right above the ears. Here are a few other fade styles to keep in mind:

Bald Fades

Bald fade cuts actually taper down from the top and the hair around the perimeter of the sides and back of the head is completely shaved off.

Temp Fades

Temp fades are thinned out around the temples, hence the name. This is perfect for those who are looking to try out a fade without dramatically thinning out a significant amount of hair.

Disconnected Undercut Fade

Disconnected Undercut Fade hairstyles features longer hair on the top with an immediate disconnect where instead of a gradual fade. Typically the sides are dramatically shorter in length than the top, giving it a shorter amount of tapering.

Faux Hawk Fade

Faux Hawk Fade features longer hair up the middle of the head, like a Mohawk, but instead of the sides being shaven, they are gradually tapered down into a fade.

High Top Fade

High Top Fade features a box cut at the very top of the head which fades down around the entire perimeter of the head. The hair around the perimeter can either be tapered gradually or significantly. Made popular by Hip-Hop group Kid n Play, the high top fade was a signature style during the 80s and early 90s but has made its way back into the style of hipsters and teens alike.

Side Part Taper Fade

This style features a very prominent side part that tapers into a fade.

Watch this video tutorial to understand how a high fade taper fade is done: